We all know the routine, what do you want for dinner? I don't know what do you want. After going back and forth someone suggests the favorite take out restaurant.
Recently I signed up for a services which provides full dinners a few times a week depending on your selections. This is how it works:
Once a week the box comes to my porch via UPS, included via my preferences the ingredients, detailed recipe and instructions to feed 2 people 2 meals.
I signed up because with the kids being grown and both of us working and just taking care of life, we were eating out and having take out too often. For me it is the inconvenience of planning meals and grocery shopping that makes me decide to just pick something up on the way home. Neither one of us enjoy fast food, so it is just a matter of convenience. In addition, I consider cooking a chore vs. something I enjoy doing.
A couple of nights a week I prepare simple meals with healthy, fresh ingredients and recipes that are new to me and hence seem fresh and interesting. The recipes in general have been easy and tasty. It is still a bit of a novelty, so I actually enjoy the process. The food has always been fresh and well packaged and once when the box got wet in transit the refund process was quick and easy even though the food was still edible, they didn't think I should have to deal with "messy boxes" showing up. I appreciated that.
It isn't a huge financial savings as I am pretty sure I could buy the ingredients for less, but I think the value of what we get is higher and the convenience is well worth it a couple of times a week.
The ingredients are fresh, well packed, clearly marked and the instructions are easy to follow. Rarely does a meal take more than 30-40 minutes to prepare. Most of the packaging can be sent back in the same box for recycling.
Each week you select the meals that you would like from about 12 meals to choose from. If you do not "select" and you are subscribed they will select based on your past reviews. If you are going to be gone for a week or make other plans it is easy to skip and week. Adding and changing plans can be a little more difficult, but still a few clicks on their downloadable app and your preferences are saved.
Tonight we enjoyed pan fried chicken vergus
I am sure it is just a phase I am in, but right now I am enjoying the convenience of having food and recipes sent right to my door. Also, I have picked up a few new recipes that I suspect I would continue to use even if I had to "gather" my own goods.
It is a simple way to spend time doing the things I enjoy rather than tasks that are not my favorite.
photos were selected from www.blueapron.com/reviews
If you are interested in trying this service you can find them at https://www.blueapron.com
What little hacks do you use to customize your life?
